Connector for coaxial cable

ABSTRACT

A coaxial connector which includes a body, a nut threadably engaging the body and means operably upon engagement and tightening of the nut on the body which firmly engages the cable and makes a positive electrical contact. Moisture sealing means are included between the body and nut and between the nut and the cable to form a moisture-proof structure.

[ Dec. 17, 1974 CONNECTOR FOR COAXIAL CABLE [76] Inventor: Eric S.Kaplan, 20 Beach Tree Rd.,

West Caldwell, NJ. 07006 [22] Filed: Oct. 2, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:294,237

[52] US. Cl 339/177R [51] Int. Cl H0lr 17/04 [58] Field of Search339/177 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,292,136 12/1966Somerset 339/177 E 3,501,737 3/1970 Harriset a1. 339/103 R 3,526,8719/1970 Hobart ..'339/l77 E 3,587,033 6/1971 Brorein 339/177 R X3,668,612 6/1972 Nepovim 339/177 R X 3,671.926 6/1972 Nepovim 339/177 EFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,242,731 6/1967 Germany 339/177 R828,886 12/1969 Canada 339/177 E Primary Examiner-Paul R. GilliamAssistant ExaminerLawrence .1. Staab Attorney, Agent, or FirmThomas B.Graham [57] ABSTRACT A coaxial connector which includes a body, a nutthreadably engaging the body and means operably upon engagement andtightening of the nut on the body which firmly engages the cable andmakes a positive electrical contact. Moisture sealing means are includedbetween the body and nut and between the nut.

and the cable to form a moisture-proof structure.

2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 1 CONNECTOR FOR COAXIAL CABLE BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates to coaxial connectors and morespecifically to novel and improved weatherproof connectors for quicklyand easily interconnecting coaxial cables and for feeding such cablesthrough walls of metal and other materials without materially affectingthe transmission characteristics of the cable.

Numerous coaxial connectors have been proposed but known connectors haveembodied relatively complicated and expensive structures and many do notafford protection against moisture and at the same time enable cables tobe quickly and easily attached to the connector. This inventionovercomes the foregoing disadvantages of known coaxial connectors andprovides a novel and improved connector characterized by its simplicity,adaptability to a wide variety of applications, ease of operation, andrelatively low cost.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel andimproved simplified coaxial connector wherein transmission losses aregreatly minimized and a waterproof coupling between the cable andconnector is provided.

Still, another object of the invention resides in the provision of anovel and improved coaxial connector which can be readily mounted in awall of metal or other material such as a chassis or housing forelectronic circuits and at the same time minimize line loss between thecable and the connector.

The coaxial connector in accordance with the invention utilizes aconnector body having split female connector means surrounded by a splitcollet of insulating material and a cooperating nut arranged with animproved split collet and means coacting with the collets of the nut andbody so that upon insertion of a coaxial cable and tightening the nut,the split collet in the nut will be compressed to grip the shield of thecoaxial cable and at the same time the collet in the body will functionto contract the female connector to firmly grip and extending portion ofthe conductor in the cable. Suitable waterproofing means between thebody and the nut and between the nut and coaxial cable shield arecompressed to form watertight seals.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent from the follow ing description and accompanying drawingsforming part of this application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal elevational view in partial section of acoaxial connector in accordance with the invention including a bodyportion and a nut with the coaxial cable positioned therein just priorto attachment of the nut to the body.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector body andnut of FIG. 1 after attachment of the nut to the body.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal elevational view in partial section of amodified form of coaxial connector in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view in partial section of the split colletutilized in the form of the invention shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal elevational view in partial section of acoaxial double or splicing coupler in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 6 is a view of the double coupler of FIG. 5 with a nut and coaxialcable attached thereto.

FIG. 7 is an exploded longitudinal elevational view in partial sectionof coaxial connector elements in accordance with the invention forcoupling coaxial cables of different diameters.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal elevational view in partial section showing theelements of FIG. 7 assembled within a body.

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2which illustrate on embodiment of a coaxial connector in accordance withthe invention and which is particularly useful for attachment to themetal wall of a chassis or other housing. The specific structure andarrangement of elements of the connector maintains losses at a very lowlevel and thus provides for highly efficient transfer of energy from acoaxial cable to asssociated electronic components. The con nector ofFIGS. 1 and 2 is generally denoted by the numeral 10 and includes ahollow body portion 11 and a nut 12. The outer surface of the bodyincludes a hexagonal portion 13 centrally thereof, a short threaded endportion 14 including an 0 ring 15 for attaching the body to the wall ofa chassis or other housing, and a threaded end portion 16 for attachmentof the nut 12.

The body 11 further includes cylindrical insulating means 17 within theleft hand porition thereof as viewed in the figures and abutts anannular flange 18 forming part of the body. The righhand portion 19 ofthe insulating means 17 is of reduced diameter and has a tapered endportion 19. An opening 20 extends therethrough with the left-handportion thereof being of reduced diameter as denoted by the numeral 21.The end portion 19 of the insulating means 17 also includes a pluralityof slots 22 as will be observed in FIG. 1. A conductive femalereceptacle 23 is disposed within the opening portion 20 of theinsulating means 17 and it includes an opening 24 having a serratedinner surface and a plurality of longitudinal slots. The left portion ofthe receptacle includes an elongated pin 25 formed integrally therewithand extending from the left end of the body 11.

The right-hand portion of the body 1 1 includes an annular groove 26 inthe wall thereof for retaining a collet 27 of insulating material havingan annular bead 28 on the outer surface thereof. The inner end of theopening 29 of the collet is tapered at 30 to receive the tapered endportion 19 of the insulating means 19. The outer end of the opening 29may also be tapered to facilitate insertion of the central conductor 31of the coaxial cable generally denoted by the numeral 32. Both thecollet 27 as well as the insulating means 19 are preferably formed of amaterial having high insulating properties such as polystyrene and thelike. Inasmuch as polystyrene and other similar plastics can be slightlydeformed under pressure, the collet 27 can be forced in the body untilthe annular bead 28 engages the groove 26 whereupon it will return toits original form and the collet will be retained within the body 11.Moreover, since the bead 28 is narrower than the width of the groove 26,the collet can be displaced inwardly upon attachment of the cable 32 toeffect contraction of-the tapered end 19' of the insulating means andinturn the slotted end of the receptacle 23 to firmly grip the cableconductor 31.

The nut 12 is in the form of a cap nut having an opening 33 in the outeror right-hand end thereof to receive the cable 32. Within the nut is anring 34, a collar 35, a split collet 36, a threaded collar 37 and aspring retaining ring 38. The 0 ring 34 abutts the annular inwardlyextending flange 39 on the end of the nut and the collar 35 has anoutwardly extending flange 40 slidably engaging the opening portion 41of the nut while the remainder of the collar engages the opening portion42 of the nut. Since the longitudinal width of the opening portion 42 isless than the length of the collar to the right of the flange 40,pressure will be applied to the 0" ring 34 when the nut is engaged withthe body as will be described.

The split collet 36 has tapers 43 and 44 on the ends thereof with thetaper 43 cooperating with the taper 45 on the collar 35. The secondthreaded collar 37 is disposed to the left of the collet 36'and isretained within an annular groove 46 in the nut 12 by the split springring 38. The groove 46 has sufficient width to permit longitudinaldisplacement of the collar 37. The threads on collar 37 are arranged tomesh with the threads 47 in the nut to facilitate assembly and thespring ring 38 maintains the element in position. An 0 ring 48 iscarried within a groove at the inner end of the threads 47 of the body 11 and provides a moisture seal between the body and the nut.

It is evident from the foregoing description that the structure byreason of the positive electrical connections made with both the shieldand the central conductor of the coaxial cable, the sealing of the cableto the nut and the nut to the body and the use of insulating meanswithin the housing having good insulating properties that a highlyefficient low loss connector is provided.

The form of the invention shown in FIG. 3 is a simplified version of theconnector shown in FIGS. 1 .and 2.

In this embodiment the body generally denoted by the numeral 50 has anopening 51 extending therethrough with the right hand portion 51 thereofbeing enlarged to slidably receive the split collet 52. The left handend of the body 50 as shown in FIG. 3 includes a threaded portion 53 andan 0 ring 54 for fastening the body to the wall of a chassis or housing.The end 55 of the body includes an inwardly formed flange correspondingto the flange 18 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to provide an abutment todetermine the innermost position of the coaxial cable 32. In thisposition the central conductor 31 extends from the left hand edge of thebody 50 as illustrated in the drawing.

The collet 52 as shown clearly in FIG. 4 is of cylindrical configurationand has a longitudinal slit 56. The ends of the collet inlcudes tapers57 and 58 and the center of the collet has a peripheral groove 59. Whenthe collet 52 is inserted in the body 50 as illustrated, the tapered end57 engages the taper 60 within the body and the right hand end of thebody includes a downwardly extending flange 61 which engages the groove59 to hold the collet in place. The right hand end of the body 50includes threads 62 and a groove is disposed at the inner end of thethread 62 to receive an 0" ring 63.

The nut 64 includes internal threads 65 for cooperation with the threads62, an inclined portion 66 for cooperation with the tapered end 58 ofthe collet, and a cylindrical opening 67 for slidably receiving thecoaxial cable 32. The opening portion 67 has an annular groove toreceive an 0 ring 68. With this arrangement, as the nut is threadablyengaged with the body and with the coaxial cable extending through thenut and collet and urged against the left hand end of the body as shownin FIG. 3, the collet will be reduced in diameter by reason of theaction of the tapers 60 and 66 and cause the collet to firmly engage andgrip the outer surface of the cable 32. At the same time the 0" rings 63and 68 will seal the connector. The collet 52 preferably includes aserrated inner surface as shown at 52' in FIG. 4 to provide a positiveelectrical connection with the cable.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a form'of the invention for coupling the endsof two coaxial cables to form a splice. Inasmuch as both the left andright hand halves of the connector shown in these figures are eachsimilar in structure to the right half of the connector as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, corresponding numerals have been utilized to identifylike elements in the right hand portions of FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIGS. 5and 6. Further, since the left and right halves of the connector shownin FIGS. 5 and 6 are identical, like numerals have been used to denotecorresponding elements in each half except that the numerals on the lefthalf of the connector are followed by the letter a. In the structureshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the receptacles 23 and 23a are electricallycoupled to an enlarged cylindrical portion 70 and, preferably, theportion 70 is formed integrally with the receptacles 23 and 23a. Theinsulating means 17 and 17a abut the cylindrical portion 70 coupling thereceptacles and are held in position within the center of the body 11 bydepending flanges 71 and 72. To facilitate assembly, the flange 71 ispreferably formed in the body during the machining process while theflange 72 is swaged after insertion of the elements to retain thereceptacles 23 and 23a and the insulating means 17 and 17a centrallylocated within the body. Inasmuch as the mode of attachment of cables 32to each end of the connector as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 correspondprecisely to the mode of connection as described in con nection withFIGS. 1 and 2, further description is not deemed necessary.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 illustratesthe versatility of applicants invention for use in coupling a coaxialcable of one diameter to a cable of another diameter. In this embodimentof the invention the right hand portion of the connector body 75corresponds precisely to the right hand portion of the body 11 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 and corresponding body and internal connector portions ofFIGS. 1 and 2 and FIGS. 7 and 8 are denoted by like numerals. In theform of the invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the left hand portion ofthe body 75 is of reduced diameter and is threaded as denoted by thenumeral 76 to receive a nut of smaller diameter than the nut 12. Theconnector assembly in the left hand portion of the body which isgenerally denoted by the numeral 77 includes a cylindrical insulator 78having openings 79 and 80 or relatively large diameter formed in theends thereof and a central opening 81 of relatively small diametercoupling the openings 79 and 80. The left hand end of the insulator 78has an external section 82 of reduced diameter to slidably receive a cap82 of insulating material. An electrical connector generally denoted bythe numeral 84 has an elongated stem 85 extending through the insulator78 and has a tab 86 to limit movement to the right as shown in FIG. 7.The left hand end of the stem 85 includes a U-shaped spring contractstructure 86 having legs 87 and 88. The leg 88 includes two spacedparallel tabs 89 carried by the end thereof so that the outer end of theleg 87 will be guided therebetween and thus alignment of the legs 87 and88 will be maintained at all times. The cap 83 has an opening 90 thereinso that when the cap is in position on the insulator 78 as shown in FIG.8, a conductor can be inserted through the opening 90 to electricallyengage the terminal structure 84. The right hand end of the stem 85 ofthe terminal structure 84 is welded or soldered as denoted by thenumeral 91 in FIG. 8 to the conductor 25 extending from the insulatingmeans 17.

In this way the terminal structure 84 is electircally coupled to thereceptacle 23.

The assembly as described in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8 above isinserted into the body 75 from the right hand end thereof until theassembly 77 abuts the inwardly extending flange 92 on the left hand endof the body 75. An inwardly formed flange 93 is then formed by swagingor other suitable means and engages the right hand end of the enlargedportion of the insulating means 17 to retain the elements in position.Thereafter the collet 27 is inserted as described in connection withFIGS. 1 and 2.

From the foregoing description it is evident that with the novel andimproved connected structure for coaxial cables, substantially identicalelements may be utilized to form a variety of different types ofconnectors such as the so-called feed-through or chassis mount connectorof FIGS. 1 and 2, the splicing connector of FIGS. 5 and 6 and theadapter of FIGS. 7 and 8. In each case a relatively low lossmoisture-proof connection is provided and by reason of the utilizationof a split receptacle in the body and a split collet in the nut,positive electrical connection with the outer shield and the innerconductor of a coaxial cable is provided.

While only certain embodiments of the inventionhave been illustrated anddescribed, it is apparent that alterations, modifications and changesmay be made without departing from the true scope and spirit thereof asdefined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A connector for coaxial cable having an outer shield and a centralinsulated conductor with a portion extending from the shield comprisinga hollow body having an externally threaded portion on one end thereof,

slotted tubular insulating means within the said housing having atapered end portion,

a slotted female receptacle within the slotted tubular insulating meansfor receiving said extending central conductor portion,

the other end of said body including an externally threaded portion andsaid receptacle including a conductive pin extending from said other endof said body,

a collet within said body with at least one end of the opening in saidcollet being tapered and in engagement with the tapered portion of saidinsulating means,

a nut threadably engaging said body and including cable gripping meansthrough which said coaxial cable extends and means carried by said nutfor sealing said cable in said nut and sealing means carried by saidbody for forming a seal between said body and said nut,

said gripping means gripping said outer cable shield when said cable isinserted through the nut and the conductor portion is in engagement withsaid receptacle.

whereby the inward displacement of the nut upon being tightened urgesthe end of said cable against said collet and displaces said colletinwardly,

the inward movement of the collet forcing its tapered portion into tightengagement with the tapered portion of said insulating means thusreducing the diameter thereof and urging the walls of said receptacleinto tight engagement with said conductor portion, and said grippingmeans in said nut further including a split metal collet havingexternally tapered end portion of the opening therein tapered toreceivean end of said metal collet, said collars and metal collet beingslidably retained with said nut, one of said collars engaging the end ofsaid body when said nut is placed in threaded engagement therewithwhereby. tightening said nut decreases the distance between said collarsand thereby effects a reduction in diameter of said split collet causingit to firmly grip the coaxial cable and make electrical contacttherewith.

2. A connector according to claim 1 including an 0 ring disposed betweensaid other collar and the end of said nut and a second 0 ring carried bysaid body at the inner end of said threaded portion.

1. A connector for coaxial cable having an outer shield and a centralinsulated conductor with a portion extending from the shield comprisinga hollow body having an externally threaded portion on one end thereof,slotted tubular insulating means within the said housing having atapered end portion, a slotted female receptacle within the slottedtubular insulating means for receiving said extending central conductorportion, the other end of said body including an externally threadedportion and said receptacle including a conductive pin extending fromsaid other end of said body, a collet within said body with at least oneend of the opening in said collet being tapered and in engagement withthe tapered portion of said insulating means, a nut threadably engagingsaid body and including cable gripping means through which said coaxialcable extends and means carried by said nut for sealing said cable insaid nut and sealing means carried by said body for forming a sealbetween said body and said nut, said gripping means gripping said outercable shield when said cable is inserted through the nut and theconductor portion is in engagement with said receptacle. whereby theinward displacement of the nut upon being tightened urges the end ofsaid cable against said collet and displaces said collet inwardly, theinward movement of the collet forcing its tapered portion into tightengagement with the tapered portion of said insulating means thusreducing the diameter thereof and urging the walls of said receptacleinto tight engagement with said conductor portion, and said grippingmeans in said nut further including a split metal collet havingexternally tapered end portion of the opening therein tapered to receivean end of said metal collet, said collars and metal collet beingslidably retained with said nut, one of said collars engaging the end ofsaid body when said nut is placed in threaded engagement therewithwhereby tightening said nut decreases the distance between said collarsand thereby effects a reduction in diameter of said split collet causingit to firmly grip the coaxial cable and make electrical contacttherewith.
 2. A connector according to claim 1 including an ''''0''''ring disposed between said other collar and the end of said nut and asecond ''''0'''' ring carried by said body at the inner end of saidthreaded portion.